Eighteen years old and still in high school, Heidi Klum came across an ad for a model competition in her area while reading a magazine. While she was intrigued by the idea, she never even dreamed of the possibility of entering, much less of winning, but her friend had a different attitude and encouraged her to send in some photos.

What began as a contest "just for fun" turned into a life-altering event for the beautiful brunette. Heidi immediately signed a contract with the Metropolitan modeling agency, for a minimum of three years.

With patience and effort, the work offers started to pour in for Heidi. She appeared in many print advertisements, including: Bonne Bell (which Denise Richards also modeled for), Finesse, Gerry Weber, Givenchy's Amerige, I-N-C, and hit it big with the Victoria's Secret campaign. As one of the Victoria's Secret Angels, Heidi made the transition from model to supermodel, joining the ranks of Yasmeen Ghauri, Tyra Banks, Helena Christensen, and Stephanie Seymour.

While Heidi appeared on the covers of such magazines as Bride's, Cosmopolitan, Self, Glamour, and Mademoiselle, none could live up to the recognition Heidi received as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition's 1998 cover girl, an honor that models Vendela, Elle MacPherson and Tyra Banks had previously claimed.

Recently making the move from supermodel to actress, Heidi has appeared as herself 3 times on the ABC comedy Spin City and hit the big screen with a minor appearance in the feature film 54, as a V.I.P. patron.